Repair added to my water bill

Molerj · May 13, 2003

I was cutting grass last week with my riding tractor & when I went over (as I have done many times) my water meter lid, it popped up & wedged itself under the deck. Luckily I didn't damage my mower. Had a heck of a time getting it out from underneath the mower. When I did get it out, I noticed that the wire that runs to the remote transponder that is mounted on the underside of the lid was ripped out of the transponder. Called the water dept. & reported what had happened. Came home from work yesterday to find a message on my machine informing me that the transponder was fixed and the charge would be 122.00 & would be added to my water bill. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
What do you folks think? Fair? Unreasonable? I called & they said it looked like someone ripped out the wire & added "probably to avoid being charged for water." I haven't decided what to do, but the accusation alone was upsetting.

frank_f15 · May 13, 2003

seems a bit high. around here the meter is in the house and the remote is attached to the side of the house. i read the meter for 3 of the quarters and they come around and read the remote the 4th quarter. i guess meteres are different but i don't hink ripping the wire off the transponder would not stop them from reading the actual meter. i would take offense at the implication also.but i think u will have to pay it! all those city and town departments are all scrounging for $$$$. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 14, 2003

Figure an hour or more work and travel time, and cost of materials (they may have had to replace the transponder), and the bill is not too bad. I'd pay it. But, I'd also fire off an email to the head of the utilities department about the implication. After all, if you had ripped it out to avoid the waer bill, why would you have reported it? If you don't get an apology, rip it out again - if you're going to be considered guilty, you might as well enjoy a lower water bill /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

MikePA · May 14, 2003

What do you folks think? Fair? Unreasonable?
Travel time to and from, plus time to fix it can easily add up to $122. $122 is more than fair. What would you have paid a plumber or an electrician for a house call?

I called...
Just curious, why? You broke it, they fixed it and sent you a bill.

I haven't decided what to do 
What options are you considering? Separate the two issues; (1) Paying for the repair and (2) The accusation. You'll probably get a much more sympathetic ear if you admit you owe the $122 for the damage you caused, but point out they should not jump to conclusions about your, or anyone elses, motives.

Mosey · May 14, 2003

I drive over my meter lid all the time, with my Craftsman lawn tractor, my TC29D CUT, my Jeep, my pickup, etc. It has a bolt that has to be turned before the lid can come off. I don't think you should have to pay a thing! They need to secure their lid. Unfortunately, they know you need water, so you have to follow their rules, like it or not.

Tractors4u · May 14, 2003

What is the remote transponder?

Gary_in_Indiana · May 14, 2003

"What is the remote transponder" 

What? You never watched 'Star Trek'?

Sorry, I couldn't resist. Seriously, I believe it's a device that allows the meter reader to read your meter from his truck just by driving down your street.

Around here the water utility (municipal) required everyone to have outside meters so the readers didn't have to go inside to read them and could read more meters in a day. Of course, the utility required everyone to pay for these outside readers. Now the move is to have everyone pay for these new transponder deals so they can now further reduce their labor costs.

It's an interesting concept. Reduce your labor costs by adding new technology--and have your customers pay 100% of the cost of the new technology. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Molerj · May 16, 2003

Re: Repair added to my water bill--resolved

Well guys, I guess the County Commissioner thought the charge was unreasonable too. (sorry MikePA) I called him & told him the story. Next day there was a message on my answering machine telling me "the problem has been taken care of". And no, I am not friends or anything with the commissioner. Met him at a benefit spaghetti dinner at the Legion where I was helping last year when he was running for office. He came across as an honest type of guy so I thought I would give him a call & see what he had to say. Talked to him for less than five minutes & said he would see what he could do. Letter of thanks is in the mail.

GrantMO · May 16, 2003

I think the charge is excessive but not unreasonable. I would hope a company would waive it over an accusation that you're stealing. Ours is over $200 and to this point I haven't damaged it yet. After your experience I'm going to make sure it can't come up or mow around it next time. I mow pretty high but I never thought of the suction effect from high lift blades.

MikePA · May 16, 2003

Re: Repair added to my water bill--resolved

 Well guys, I guess the County Commissioner thought the charge was unreasonable too. (sorry MikePA) 
Congrats, Ron. Guess you're glad I'm not the commissioner! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif